Published January 15, 2002 | Version v1
Journal article

Boundary conditions in the Unruh problem

  • 1. INFN and ICRA, Rome University 'La Sapienza', 00185 Rome (Italy)
  • 2. Moscow State Engineering Physics Institute, 115409 Moscow (Russian Federation)

Description

According to Unruh, a detector moving with constant proper acceleration in empty Minkowski spacetime reveals universal--not depending on the inner structure of the detector--thermal response. We have analyzed the Unruh problem using both conventional and algebraic approaches to quantum field theory. It is shown that the Unruh quantization procedure implies setting a boundary condition for the quantum field operator which changes the topological properties and symmetry group of the spacetime and leads to a field theory in two disconnected left and right Rindler spacetimes instead of Minkowski spacetime. Thus we conclude that, in spite of the work over the last 25 years, there still remain serious gaps in grounding of the Unruh effect, and as of now there is no compelling evidence for the universal behavior attributed to all uniformly accelerated detectors

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review. D, Particles Fields
Journal Volume
65
Journal Issue
2
Journal Page Range
p. 025004-025004.23
ISSN
0556-2821
CODEN
PRVDAQ

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
35039860
Subject category
S72: PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Numerical Data
Descriptors DEI
ALGEBRAIC FIELD THEORY; BLACK HOLES; BOUNDARY CONDITIONS; GROUP THEORY; MINKOWSKI SPACE; QUANTIZATION; QUANTUM GRAVITY; SPACE-TIME; THEORETICAL DATA; TOPOLOGY
Descriptors DEC
AXIOMATIC FIELD THEORY; DATA; FIELD THEORIES; INFORMATION; MATHEMATICAL SPACE; MATHEMATICS; NUMERICAL DATA; QUANTUM FIELD THEORY; SPACE

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2001 The American Physical Society